Main Goal
To increase both the overall population size and the connectivity among IbLx nuclei to assure a functional self- sustainable and viable metapopulation.
Nuclei to connect are in: Andalusia, Sierra Morena and Doñana Aljarafe; Castilla La Mancha, Montes de Toledo and Campo de Calatrava; Extremadura, Matachel-Alange; and Portugal, Vale do Guadiana. Connecting these subpopulations and creating two new ones, Sierra Arana in Granada and Altos de Lorca in Murcia will improve the species’ demographic status.
Achieving these objectives will guarantee the Iberian Lynx survival and will decrease its degree of endangerment, driven the species into its Favourable Conservation Status in 2040: 750 adult females.
Especific Objectives
- To consolidate the four incipient nuclei, and create two new nuclei (one of them at zero cost for the project) in areas that already meet the criteria defined in LIFE06NAT/E/000209 ́s Reintroduction Plan.
- To minimise global loss of genetic diversity and prevent local inbreeding accumulation, thus decreasing Iberian Lynx probability of extinction.
- To define “connection areas” and to select the stepping stones (patches of suitable habitat suitable to be selected as connection zones between subpopulations). To detect road-kills black spots.
- To develop a cost-effective long-term monitoring program to be implemented in the future
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- To ensure prey availability in the stepping-stones and in the incipient and new nuclei, to ensure IbLx reproductive success in those areas.
- To increase the involvement of the local stakeholders in the conservation of their natural heritage through both the generation of affective and economic bonds and the implementation of an effective reciprocal communication.
- The revision of Spain and Portugal’ Iberian Lynx National Strategies and updating the “Action Plan for the conservation Iberian Lynx in Europe (Council of Europe Publishing, 2000)”.
- To develop a cost-effective long-term monitoring program to be implemented in the future.
- Get the species down-listed to UICN “Vulnerable”: 250 mature individuals for at least five years.
